Gabriel chundan (snake boat) won the 65th Nehru Trophy Boat Race at the Punnamada lake in Alappuzha on Saturday. The chundans that entered the finals were Mahadevikad Thekkathil, Payippadan, Karichal, and Gabriel. Mahadevikad came second and Payippadan stood third.
Defects in the mechanical starting device posed problems at the starting point in the afternoon, after two heats of the chundan races were over. This caused the races to be delayed. The organisers had introduced a new device that was claimed to be foolproof.
The starting point had been a bone of contention on several occasions in the past. The new device was set up to ensure a trouble-free commencement of the race. Owners of boat clubs and rowers became restive as there was an undue delay. Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, District Collector Veena N. Madhavan and other officials went to the spot and managed to resolve the issue. Complaints of inclusion of rowers from other States beyond the stipulated 25% by certain boat clubs also marred the race.
